Curtain stretcher



' June? 2 2, 1943.

My ROOSEVELT. 2,322,317

Filed June 6, 1941- 4 Sheets-Sheet 1 T 169 A D C '23 INVENTOR 727% K0085 v L T,

June 22 1943. M. ROOSEVELT CURTAIN STRETCHER 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed June 6, 1941 INVENTOR Una Rooseue ATTORNEY June 22, 1943. M. ROOSEVELT cunmm STRETCHER Filed June 6, 1941 4 Sheets-She et 3 llll" llllllllllll'lllll II IIEII E H Y. R S M m o R N O O m E A. 2 2 vM/ Y NB u 5 June 22, 1943. M. ROOSEVELT "cum-Am sms'rcrmn' Filed June 6, 1941 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 INVENTOR. MAYME EQOSEVELT BY 4 ATT'OBNEY Patented June 22, 1943 UNITED STATES g rear ore 3 Claims.

My invention relates to a new and useful improvement in a curtainsupport adapted for use in drying curtains and it is so constructed and arranged that it may be utilized as a. curtain stretcher.

In cleaning curtains it is necessary, after the curtain has been cleaned'v that it be mounted on a suitable support and stretched to its proper size before drying, particularly in the laundering of curtains it is desirable that this drying operation be reduced to a minimum amount of time and. frequently the curtain,'when mounted on the stretcher or support, is placed within a drying cabinet. In the use of such structures it is desirable that a minimum amount of space be occupied so that a maximum number of curtains may be dried in a given space.

It is an object of the present invention to provide a curtain support or stretcher of I this class so constructed and arranged that a minimum amount of space may be required for the supporting structure.

Another object of the invention is the provision of a curtain stretcher or support so constructed and arranged as to embody a supporting frame having curtain-attachingmeans on opposite sides thereof so that the'frame may serve as a. dual support and the pair of curtains may be stretched thereon at the same time.

Another object of the invention is to provide a curtain support or stretcher of this class so constructed and arranged that the supporting frame may be swung to horizontal position with either side up for facilitating the placing of a curtain thereon and the removal of a curtain therefrom.

Another object of the invention is the provision of a curtain stretcher or support of this class so constructed andarranged that while it may be swung to horizontal position, it may also be swung into vertical position to occupy a minimum amount of space.

Another object of theinvention is the provision of a curtain stretcher or support ofthe class described, so constructed and arranged that the supporting framemaybe easily and quickly released for movement from one position to another and easily and quickly secured in either position.

Another object of the invention is the provision of a curtain stretcher or support of this class so constructed that the operator may operate the releasing mechanism from either end of the frameso as to swing .the frame from vertical to horizontal position or vice versa when standing adjacent either. end of theframe.

Anothervobject of the invention is the provision of a curtain stretcher of this class having stretcherrails whichmay be moved relatively to each other for varying the distance between the same and which may be easily and quickly locked in its various positions of movement and released from the secured position for relative movement.

Another object of the invention is the provision of a curtain stretcher or support of this class, having means for securing curtain engaging elements in position in such a manner that they may be easily and quickly removed and replaced.

Another objectof the invention is the provision of a curtain stretcher or support of this class having a supporting frame provided with traction members whereby the frame may be easily and quickly rolled from one position to another.

Another object of the invention is the provision of a curtain support or stretcher of this class so constructed and'arranged that the supporting frame may be mounted in upright position by a suitable trolley.

Another object of the invention is the provision of a curtain stretcher of this class which will be simple in structure. economical of manufacture, durable, compact, light, highly efficient in use and easily and quickly operated.

Other objects will appear hereinafter.

It is recognized that various modifications and changes may be made in the detail of structure illustrated Without departing from the spirit of the invention and it is intended that such changes and variations shall be embraced within the scope thereof.

Forming a part of the specification are drawings in which:

Fig. 1 is a top plan view of theinvention showing the supporting frame in horizontal position.

Fig. 2 is a side elevational view of the invention showing the supporting frame in vertical position with a part broken away.

Fig. 3 is an enlarged, fragmentary, sectional View taken on line.33-of Fig. 1.

Fig, 4 is an enlarged, fragmentary, sectional viewtaken on line 44 of Fig. 2.

Fig. 5 is anenlarged fragmentary elevational view taken on line 5- 5 of Fig. 1.

Fig. 6 is an enlarged sectional view taken on line 6. B of Fig. 2.

Fig. 7 isanenlarged fragmentary, bottom plan viewlofthelrail..securingmechanism.

Fig. 8 is a diagrammatic view illustrating the cable mounting used in the invention.

Fig. 9 is a fragmentary, side elevational view of the trolley used in the invention.

Fig. 10 is a sectional view taken on line Iii-I of Fig. 9.

Fig. 11 is a perspective view of the invention with a part broken away.

As shown in Fig. 1 and Fig. 2 the invention embodies a pair of uprights or supporting stands I 5 and I6 connected at their upper ends by the inverted channel shaped rail having side flanges I8 and I9. Mounted on and extending transversely of the standards l5 and I5 is an axle on which are mounted the traction wheels or rollers 2| and 22. The standards l5 and I6 are connected together at their bottom ends by the tube 23 through which extends a rod 24. Associated with the supporting frame embodying the standards l5, l6 and the channel I1, is a trolley 25 depending from which, at spaced intervals, are rollers 26 which are adapted to engage in the channel between the flanges Ill and I8 and serve to guide the structure in its longitudinal movement. Thi trolley 25 would extend into a heating cabinet and project outwardly therefrom a sufilcient distance to permit the frame to be rolled into the cabinet and out wardly therefrom a suflicient distance for working thereon.

A curtain supporting frame is provided which has oppositely disposed end rails and oppositely disposed side rails. Each of the side rails is a duplicate of the oppositely disposed side rail and each of the end rails is a duplicate of the oppositely disposed end rail. The end rails are connected together at their ends to the side rails by welding or in any other suitable manner.

As shown in Fig. 1 the end rails comprise an upper and a lower section although either section may be upper or lower, depending upon the position into which the supporting frame has been rotated. As shownin Fig. 4 the end rails comprise the inwardly projecting flange 2'! and the upwardly projecting flange 23 which is doubled upon itself to provide the doubled over portion 29. Clamping the supporting screen 33 against the flange 21 is the inwardly projecting flange which is provided with the downwardly projecting flange 3| doubled upon itself to provide the doubled over portion 32. Reinforcing plates 34 are mounted on the outer faces of these end rails adjacent the center thereof. Mounted on the reinforcing plates is a disc 35 having tooth shaped notches 31 formed therein. Mounted fixedly on the end projecting outwardly, centrally from the disc 35 is a shaft 38 which extends through the hub formed integral with the disc 39, this disc 39 being provided with teeth 4| for engaging in the notches 31. The hub 40 carries the outwardly projecting disc 42 with the angularly directed, spaced apart lugs 43 and 44 which embrace the supporting standards 5 and I5 and thus secure the hub 49 against rotation.

Rockably mounted on a suitable pin 45 projecting outwardly from the standards l5 and I6 is a bell crank 46 which is pivotally connected at one end by means of the pin 41 to the draw bar 48 which is threaded into the boss 50 formed on the disc 42. Embracing this draw bar 48 is a spring 48' one end of which engages against the face of the disc 42 and the other end which engages against the outwardly turned portion 49 of brackets which are mounted on the standard l5 or [5 as the case may be and through which the draw bar projects. The construction is such that upon a downward rocking of the bell crank the draw bar is moved to the right of Fig. 3 against the compression of the spring 48'. This rocking of the bell crank 46, through the operation of the draw bar 48, moves the hub 49 axially sufficiently to disengage the teeth 4| from the notches 31. The bell crank 46 is connected by the rod 5| to the foot pedal 52 clearly illustrated in Fig. 5. This foot pedal is fixedly mounted upon the rod 24 so that when the operator rocks the foot pedal 52 downwardly at one end of the supporting frame, the foot pedal at the opposite end will also be rocked downwardly because it is fixedly mounted upon the rod 24, thus the teeth in the opposite sides of the frame will move out of engagement with the notches 31. When the teeth 4| are in engagement with the notches 3'! the curtain supporting frame is secured against rotation on the shaft 38. When the teeth 4| are disengaged from the notche 3! the curtain supporting frame may be rotated on the shafts 38 so that either side of the frame may be positioned upwardly when the frame is placed in horizontal position. The notches 3'! and the teeth 4| are positioned spaced apart about the discs 35 and 39, ninety degrees so that the frame may be secured either in horizontal position as shown in Fig. 1 or vertical position as shown in Fig. 2.

The construction of the supporting frame on its opposite sides are duplicates, so that a description of one side will suffice for both. Mounted on the curtain supporting frame at opposite sides of the screen adjacent each end thereof and extending transversely thereof as shown in Fig. 3 and Fig. 4 is a supporting or spacing block 53. At one end of the supportin frame, I provide a retainer embodying the base plate 54 doubled upon itself at one end to provide the flange 56 which, in turn, is again turned downwardly to provide the hook 51. On this retainer base 54 is a strip of carding cloth 59 provided with the outwardly projecting pins 6|]. One end of the carding cloth 59 is engaged between the members 54 and 55 and a detachable plate 58, which is screwed or otherwise suitably secured to the base 54 and a block 53, serves to secure this layer of carding cloth 59 in position, the base plate 54 resting upon the block 53. This method of attaching the carding cloth on the retainer permits a ready removal and replacement of the carding cloth when necessary.

On the supporting frame I provide curtain engaging side rails C and D which are slidable on the supporting frame and can be moved toward and away from each other. These rails lie parallel to the side rails B of the supporting frame and extend at one end to the end rail A and at the opposite end to the base plate 54 as shown in Fig. 4. Each of these rails C and. D are similarly constructed embodying a base 63 which is turned upwardly and thence downwardly to provide a flange 55. The base is also provided at one edge with a hook 64 which hooks over one end of a strip 59' of carding cloth having the pins 63' projecting outwardly therefrom. A plate 66 overlies the opposite end of the carding cloth and secured to the base 63 by screws or any other suitable manner. Secured by screws to the base 63, at substantially the medial line thereof, is a block 6'! having a cover plate 68 formed thereon which is spaced from the base 63 as shown in Fig. 6.

f Pivotally mounted between the plate 68 and the base plate 53 by means of the pins 69 and H are the engagement rockets and 12, each provided with the finger grips 13 having a thumb piece 15 thereon so that the operator, by gripping the thumb pieces and squeezing them toward each other, will rock the members 19 and 12 on their pivots E9 and H. Mounted on one end of the rail D are the sheaves or pulleys 16 and i1 and on the opposite end are the pulleys 18 and 19. Mounted on one end of the rail C are the pulleys 89 and 8| and on the opposite end pulleys 82 and 83, as clearly shown in the diagrammatic View in Fig. 8.

Secured at its opposite ends to one of the side rails A is a flexible cord or cable 84 which passes around the pulley 8| and thence beneath a pair of presser blocks 19 and 12 which are mounted on the rail C and thence around the pulleys 82 and I9 and thence beneath a pair of presser blocks 18 and 12 which are mounted on the rail D and thence around the pulley 16.

Secured at its opposite ends to the rails B, adjacent the end thereof, is a flexible cord or cable 85 which passes around the pulley 89 and thence beneath the presser blocks 19 and 12 which are mounted on the rail C and thence around the pulleys 89 and 11 and beneath the presser blocks 10 and 12 mounted on the rail D and thence around the pulley 78. These pulleys ride in a slot 8| formed on the inner face of spacing blocks 53 and the cables also lie in these.

grooves and extend beneath the rails C and D so that they are concealed. The construction is such that when the members 15 are pressed toward each other the blocks 19 and 12 will be rocked out of engagement with the cables or cords 84 and 85, thus permitting a free sliding of the rails C and D transversely of the frame. The longitudinal edges of the curtain would be attached to the carding cloth pins 68' which are carried by the rails C and D, and by spreading these rails apart the curtain may be stretched to its proper length. Upon release of the inward pressure on the members 15 the rockers 10 and 72 will be rocked outwardly in response to the pressure of th spring 86 which embraces the rod 8'! slidably projected through the blocks 19 and 12, the spring engaging at its opposite ends, the

opposed faces of the blocks 18 and 12.

The upstanding flanges on the rails B are provided with a plurality of spaced openings 88 through which the rod 89 may be inserted. This rod is inserted at one end so as to compress the spring 98 mounted thereon in telescopic relation and held against inner movement at its inner end. The opposite end is then brought into registration with the corresponding opening on the opposed side rail B and the end thereof inserted in this opening, the spring serving to retain the rod in position.

In use this rod is inserted through the hem of the curtain which extends transversely of the curtain, adjacent its end. The opposite end of the curtain is engaged by the carding-cloth pins 68, and the location of the rod 89 is such that the curtain is thus stretched to its proper length. By engaging the opposite sides of the curtain in the pins carried by the rails C and D the curtain may be stretched to its proper width. Thus, the curtain is retained in shape while it is drying.

The operator, in using the structure, would, of course, wheel it outwardly of the cabinet so that it would be accessible. The structure would then be rocked to its horizontal position as shown in Fig. 1', this rocking being accomplished manually after releasing the teeth 4! from the notches 31. When lowered into its horizontal position and cords supporting the frame will automatically be locked in horizontal position through engagement of the teeth 4| in the recess 31 and the operator may then proceed to place a curtain on the frame in the manner described. When this is done the curtain frame may then be released for rotation and rotated degrees to bring the other side of the frame upwardly, thus rendering this side accessible to the operator for placing a curtain thereon. When this is done and the curtain has been stretched to the proper size the curtain supporting frame would be rocked to vertical position as shown in Fig. 2 and then moved into the drying cabinet where the drying would take place.

It is thus believed apparent that I have provided a compact structure providing a maximum drying in a minimum amount of space and that I have attained the various advantages enumerated herein in addition to others which would appear to one skilled in the art.

What I claim as new is:

1. A curtain support of the class described comprising, a supporting frame having a pair of spaced apart standards; means for connecting said standards together adjacent their upper ends; means for connecting said standards together adjacent their lower ends; a curtain supporting frame rotatably mounted between said standards and swingable into vertical and horizontal position; releasable means for securing said curtain supporting fram in either of said positions; and foot operated means at opposite ends of said supporting frame for releasing said releasable means.

2. In a curtain support of the class described, a supporting frame embodying a pair of spaced apart, vertically directed standards; a connecting rail for connecting said standards at their upper ends; means for connecting said standards together adjacent their lower ends; a curtain supporting frame rotatably mounted on and positioned between said standards and revoluble on its mountings through a complete revolution; releasable means at opposite ends of said first named frame for securing said curtain supporting frame in either vertical or horizontal position; and foot operated means at opposite ends of said supporting frame adapted upon actuation for releasing said releasable means at both sides of said frame.

3. In a curtain support of the class described, a supporting frame having a pair of spaced apart standards; means for connecting said standards together; a curtain supporting frame rotatably mounted upon and positioned between said standards and revoluble thruogh a complete revolution; means at opposite sides of said supporting frame for securing said curtain supporting frame against swinging movement in vertical and horizontal positions; means at each side of said supporting frame for releasing the securing means at said side; and actuating means accessible at either end of said supporting frame for actuating said releasing means.

MAYME ROOSEVELT. 

